TerraViva has officially released the complete list of awarded projects of the architecture contest entitled “Nautical Club Ohrid”.
With a vision to breathe new life into the unused “Youth Union Summer Retreat” building in Ohrid, the competition invited participants to propose adaptive-reuse designs that could revive this iconic piece of modern heritage. Inspired by Boris Chipan’s original program, the contest sought innovative ideas to transform the building into a vibrant Nautical & Social Club that could serve both the local community and seasonal tourists. Designers were encouraged to consider not only the preservation of the structure but also the creation of an inclusive, multifaceted space, fostering a connection between the site, the community and the natural lakefront.
The awarded proposals were celebrated for their thoughtful and minimal interventions, which highlighted the existing qualities of the building and the landscape. The jury praised the projects’ sensitivity and restraint, as well as their success in aligning new elements with the site’s heritage. Some proposals skillfully honored Chipan’s modernist architecture while introducing dynamic design elements that encouraged social interaction. Through simple yet impactful extensions, modular ordering and transparent materials, these projects fostered a harmonious relationship between past and present. By integrating flexible, inclusive spaces, the winning designs transformed the retreat into a vibrant social hub, ensuring that the legacy of Ohrid’s architectural heritage endures in harmony with its natural surroundings.
The competition was open to students, architects, designers, urbanists, engineers, makers, artists and anyone interested in the fields of architecture and design.
The winners were selected by an international jury panel composed by:
- Ana Ivanovska Deskova | Ss. Cyril & Methodius University [Skopje, North Macedonia]
- Mario Gentile | Shiftspace [Philadelphia, United States]
- Preeti Singh | Brand Growth Advisor [Mumbai, India]
- Simon Kilbane | The University of Western Australia [Perth, Australia]
- Jovan Ivanovski | Ss. Cyril & Methodius University [Skopje, North Macedonia]
- Yuqing Zhang | Reed Hilderbrand [Cambridge, United States]
- Nicolò Calandrini | Denara [Ravenna, Italy]
- Eleni Stefania Kalapoda | Embedded Climates [New York, United States]
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WINNERS
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1ST PLACE
Diving into Chipan’s Bath of Modernity
Pablo Lopez, Etienne Gary
France
Diving into Chipan’s Bath of Modernity
The aim of the project is to revive Chipan’s building by stripping it of the parasitic additions that have accumulated over the years and weakened its original intent. At the same time, we propose to enhance and expand the program to create a true aquatic center at the heart of the Daljan district, accessible to both tourists and locals year-round. The program is simple and minimal to avoid distorting the site by altering its scale.
The main challenge lies in densifying the site in a coherent manner while preserving the independence and legibility of the historic Chipan’s building, which will be restored and enhanced. The extension is thus designed in harmony with the architectural principles of the existing structure, capitalizing on its versatility made possible by its constructive system.
Although physically separated at ground level, the two buildings are connected by a slab at the first level, giving the illusion of two distinct volumes while maintaining a subtle connection. The underside of the slab creates a shaded reception area on the ground floor, emphasizing the separation while ensuring functional continuity.
The landscape design and the extension’s placement respect regulatory lines based on the alignments and openings of the original building. Chipan deliberately shifted the building’s axis away from the lake, allowing it to be viewed from two sides of the structure. The extension aligns with the axes defined by Chipan, forming an L-shaped composition with the existing building, preserving sightlines while creating a new central focus around the outdoor pool, the focal point of the project. This L-shape is oriented on a larger landscape scale towards the historic city of Ohrid.
A second axis clears a broad pathway that connects the city to the lake, passing through the complex. A landscaped parking area is concealed within the vegetated strip that separates the city from the lake. Trees are also planted around the project to provide privacy and shade to the rear garden of the pool, shielding the space from prying eyes.
The extension houses the facilities linked to the outdoor pool: changing rooms, showers, and restrooms on the ground floor, as well as a solarium on the upper level, overlooking the pool and garden. Thanks to the open plan of Chipan’s building, the interior spaces can be easily reconfigured. The ground floor now hosts the reception for the aquatic center, while a café occupies the entire upper floor. The rear wall is partially demolished to connect the extension and give the café an outdoor terrace above the entrance. A new staircase, located at the far end of the extension, echoes the existing one and creates an elevated pathway.
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About the First Prize – Jovan Ivanovski – Ss. Cyril & Methodius University
“The jury appreciated the project’s intention to minimize interventions on the site and the lakefront, emphasizing a very sensitive approach that highlights the existing qualities of the place. There is only a single spatial extension, designed to harmonize with the restored main building as well as with the site itself. This decision is strong enough to generate the main strategy of the project which consists of relating the old and the new volume with one another and with the site itself. The presentation boards are visually attuned to the project, featuring appealing conceptual drawings.”
About the First Prize – Mario Gentile – Shiftspace
“Really appreciate the minimalism, constraint and simple addition to complement the existing building with its modern voice. Subtle adjustments really sing with this submission including material choice and program alignment.”
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2ND PLACE
OH(G)RID
Leanid Pylila, Vitalii Borisov, Bohdan Berezovskyi, Oleg Kovalyuk
Czech Republic
The reconstruction project on the shore of one of Europe’s oldest lakes aims to preserve and build upon the legacy of the renowned architect Boris Chipan, while integrating modern design principles within the city’s historical context. Chipan’s core philosophy—respect for cultural heritage and the environment—will form the foundation of this project.
At the heart of the concept is “rethought modernism,” which builds on the modular grid of the existing structure. This approach ensures harmony with the surrounding environment and the scale of the development. Lightweight metal structures create soft boundaries in the landscape, blending the new elements with the greenery. The new structures are subordinated to the unified grid, which highlights the significance of the main club building and introduces new perspectives in design through the use of modules. Each module acts as a bridge between the old and the new, integrating the complex into its environment while preserving its historical legacy. Importantly, the modular system offers flexibility in space usage: modules can be easily added, removed, or reconfigured to meet various needs. This adaptability ensures the space can evolve over time, supporting diverse activities and fostering community engagement.
The creation of a new promenade along the lake strengthens both the functional and emotional connection to the water. The delicate shaping of volumes from rough materials softens the rigid lines of the beach, creating cozy spaces for relaxation. Covered modules offer high variability in public spaces, seamlessly flowing into one another. With no strict boundaries, these spaces encourage interaction between different zones.
The materials used in the project reference Chipan’s works, initiating a dialogue between past and present. This concept not only preserves and revitalizes architectural heritage but also adapts it to modern needs, creating a space where the old and new coexist harmoniously.
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About the Second Prize – Simon Kilbane – The University of Western Australia
“Sensitivity and creativeness combine in this enticing scheme. Connecting practically and spatially through modular ordering system is smart and enhances the relationship between new and old. Consideration of the context and simple and clear graphic communication.”
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3RD PLACE
Ohrid Reframed
Hieu Phung, Zhaoxiong Han, Jiawei Ji, Zhijin Shen
China
Ohrid Reframed
On the southern shores of Lake Ohrid, Boris Chipan’s iconic white cube introduced modernism to the city, providing a backdrop for children’s summer camps. Nearly 70 years later, Ohrid Reframed seeks to honor Chipan’s modernist legacy while evolving the architectural language to foster a dialogue between modernism and contemporary design. Our approach merges history with innovation, creating a space that harmonizes modernism’s influence with a fresh, dynamic vision.
Challenging the Boundaries of Modernism
Modernism, often described as a ‘machine for living,’ optimized spaces for specific functions, creating predictable and efficient environments. However, these designs frequently imposed rigid boundaries. In Ohrid Reframed, we challenge this by extending the role of architecture beyond functional confines. Rather than merely containing activities, the building becomes a catalyst for spontaneous social encounters and interactions. Our design embraces fluid, open spaces that invite exploration and possibility, breaking away from static, predefined forms.
Design Toward an Ambiguous Boundary
At the heart of Ohrid Reframed is the dissolution of the rigid geometries typical of modernism. Rather than relying on closed, box-like structures that strictly define inside and outside, we introduce flowing, linear forms that suggest boundaries without enforcing them. The preserved second floor stands as a monument to Chipan’s modernism, while the formerly solid first floor is broken by dynamic, linear elements that engage with the existing rigid structure. This fluid architectural order transforms the walls from barriers into flexible components that encourage openness.
Landscape Emerges from the Building
In Ohrid Reframed, architecture seamlessly merges with the landscape. Linear forms extend outward, dissolving the building’s boundaries and blending it into the surrounding environment. These lines flow into the site, creating quadrants where outdoor activities naturally unfold. The design integrates existing trees and stretches toward the city, connecting urban life with Ohrid’s natural shoreline. This interaction between building and nature generates a continuous, vibrant space that reflects the dynamic relationship between the built and natural environments.
A Dynamic Social Hub
At its core, Ohrid Reframed reimagines the site as a dynamic social hub for locals and visitors alike. The fluid architectural language fosters inclusivity by offering flexible spaces for leisure, recreation, and social gatherings. From water sports to community events and public performances, the design encourages spontaneous interaction and connection. Open areas host pop-up markets, exhibitions, and performances, revitalizing the lakefront and reconnecting it with the city. By enhancing accessibility and flexibility, Ohrid Reframed transforms the site into a vibrant gathering point and a catalyst for urban renewal.
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About the Third Prize – Yuqing Zhang – Reed Hilderbrand
“Ohrid Reframed breathes new life into Boris Chipan’s modernist white cube, honoring its legacy while introducing contemporary design elements that promote social engagement. This project reimagines the site as a fluid, open environment, challenging the functional boundaries of traditional modernism by fostering spontaneous interaction. Instead of rigid geometries, dynamic linear forms blur indoor-outdoor boundaries, extending the architecture into the landscape and creating spaces that harmonize with Lake Ohrid’s natural surroundings. By embracing flexibility and inclusivity, the project evolves the site into a vibrant social hub, integrating community activities, public gatherings, and urban renewal.”
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GOLDEN MENTIONS
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Ohrid’s Nautical Association Club
Gustavo Ferreira, Raycke Martos, Thayse Formigari
Brazil
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Hanging is the new floating
Oliver Dalcheski
North Macedonia
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LAKESIDE RENAISSANCE
Simona Chingoska
North Macedonia
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A Screen for Modernism
Alina Maniukhina, Anastasiia Kutsak
United Kingdom – Russia
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Ohrid Nautical Club
Leonardo Tonon, Victor Minghini
Brazil
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Ohrid Assemblage
Phúc Huân Lê, Till Mirkes
Vietnam
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The Boundary
Irena Chichonovska, Viktor Cvetanovski
North Macedonia
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Connections to Courtyard
Burak Mangut
Turkey
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NAUTICAL CLUB OHRID – LAKESIDE DECK
Barbora Gunišová, Dominik Haviar, Mário Melek
Slovakia
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Nautical Club Ohrid: Reviving a Forgotten Modernist Gem
Artem Efanov, Ella Meliksetian
Russia